Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Friday announced a new electricity billing system to encourage energy conservation and responsible use. According to the proposal, consumers who use less electricity will get a 20% discount. However, those who use more power between 5 pm and 9 am will face an additional 20% surcharge. The question many Goans are asking is: electricity is meant to provide light at night, so why penalise people for using it during the very hours when it is needed the most?
Meanwhile, several large factories in industrial estates across Goa are known to waste electricity, with some even drawing power illegally. Yet, there has been no strong action or public statement from the Minister about penalising such misuse. If the government truly wants to promote energy saving, it should start by fixing its own systems. The Electricity Department must ensure that streetlights are switched off on time. At many places in Goa, streetlights remain on throughout the day, leading to unnecessary waste of power. Instead of burdening ordinary citizens, the government should first address such issues within its own department.
